Abstract
The use of β-adrenergic agonists for treatment of preterm labor is associated with a decreased incidence of RDS in premature newborns. In the present study, antibodies and a cDNA probe specific for the major surfactant apoprotein were used to evaluate the effects of Bt2 cAMP and the β-agonist, terbutallne, on the levels of surfactant apoproteln and its mRNA in human fetal lung in organ culture, using Western and Northern blotting. A marked stimulatory effect of Bt2 cAMP on the levels of surfactant apoproteln and mRNA in the fetal lung tissue was observed within 48 h of its addition to the medium. Terbutaline caused a dose-dependent increase in surfactant apoproteln and mRNA to levels comparable to those observed after treatment with Bt2cAMP. Using light and electron microscopy, we found that after 48 h incubation with Bt2cAMP, a significantly greater proportion of the ductular epithelium of the fetal lung explants was comprised of type II cells; these ducts were enlarged greatly and the interalveolar connective tissue reduced as compared to control explants. Abundant secretory material (lamellar bodies and tubular myelin) was observed within the ducts of the Bt2cAMP-treated tissue; little secretory material was observed in control tissues. Thus, catecholamines acting through β-adrenergic receptors and cAMP, may serve an important role in surfactant apoprotein gene expression and in morphologic development of the human fetal lung.
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Odom, J., Snyder, J., Boggaram, V. et al. β-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS AND cAMP ANALOGUES MARKEDLY INCREASE THE LEVELS OF SURFACTANT APOPROTEIN AND ITS mRNA AND INDUCE DRAMATIC MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN HUMAN FETAL LUNG IN VITRO. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 219 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00318
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00318
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